Verdant Skies

As the moon slid below the horizon, Iris slid between the palace gates with neither of the guards noticing her presence. On silent feet, she crept across the gravel drive towards the frost-coated grass and began making her way along the walls being careful to avoid any patrolling guards. Reaching the secluded garden beneath her balcony, she carefully climbed over the fence and over to the wall. With a small amount of magic applied to the tips of her fingers and boots, she began scaling the walls taking care to pause every so often when the patrols came through the garden below her. Finally reaching the balcony, she pulled herself over the edge and felt a soft sigh leaving her though didn't relax until she'd slipped in through the doors.

Slipping off her dark cloak, Iris breathed out a soft sigh as she felt the tell-tale signs of the potion she'd been using to make herself invisible fade. Tugging off the darkly colored clothes currently covering her body, she shivered slightly against the chill in the air and tossed a small ember toward the dead fireplace prompting it to ignite once more. As pre-dawn light began to curl across her room, she was slipping into a shift and moving to slip beneath her covers where Sirius lay sleeping. As she was starting to relax, a soft knock sounded on the door and she froze for a moment as her heart started to quicken within her chest. As another knock sounded with the door slowly creaking open, she quickly shut her eyes to feign being asleep. Calming her breath as she heard the slow approach of footsteps across the marble floor, she felt Sirius stir in her arms as Kouen muttered softly, "Why the fuck is it so cold in here?"

There was a grating sound as Sirius slipped out of the covers and let out a soft yip, Kouen called for a maid to bring more firewood for her room and to take Sirius outside for the morning. She felt Kouen's hand touch her face after a moment of silence and acted as if the action was prompting her to stir. Letting out a low groan, she shifted slightly to lean into his touch and slowly opened her eyes to peer at him sleepily, "En?"

"Iris," Kouen's thumb ran along her cheek, "I was coming in here to see if you wanted to spar, but you look tired,"

"Rough night," Iris's stomach twisted at the not-quite lie and she reached up to touch his cheek, "Can we spar later?"

"If you're feeling up to it," Kouen's eyes were full of concern as he peered down at her, "You've been pretty tired as of late,"

Lips pulling into a small grimace as guilt curled within her stomach, Iris slid her fingers along the back of his neck, "I've had a string of bad nights," She offered him a weak smile, "Maybe I should sleep with you to see if I can get some actual rest, I always seem to sleep better with you...or Mei."

Chuckling softly as his expression softened, Kouen kissed her softly, "You're always welcome in my bed," Iris smiled at him, "Though is it just bad dreams not letting you rest?"

Stomach twisting as guilt ate at her, Iris shook her head against the urge to admit what she'd really been doing during the nights and why. She toyed with the small strands of hair by her fingers as she murmured, "Just bad dreams, En."

There was a flicker of doubt in his eyes, Iris wondered if he had a feeling she was sneaking out to gather information on her own, but didn't ask. Kouen kissed her again as his fingers slid down from her cheek to run along her neck. Humming softly, she peered at him as he murmured, "I'll trust your word though you can come to Koumei or me if something's bothering you, Iris. You know that, right?"

"I know," Iris leaned up to kiss him and he smiled against her lips, "I think I'll try to get a bit more rest, alright?"

"Alright. I will be here all day today," Kouen pulled away after a moment, "And Koumei is coming by for dinner,"

"Ooh, I get both of you today," Iris released his neck as he started to move away from the bed, "Please tell me it's not just to talk business,"

"It isn't," Kouen assured her with a warm look, "I'm going to go get some breakfast and start dealing with my paperwork. I'll see you later, alright?"

Her heart felt heavy even as she smiled brightly and nodded to him, Kouen left Iris's room and shut the door. Laying back as she covered her eyes with a deep sigh, she released a breath and felt as if her chest was going to give out. Swallowing as her eyes burned from the guilt of maintaining this illusion, she promised herself that she'd take the next few days off to ease Kouen and Koumei's worries before starting up again. Ensuring that the two would never know that she was working towards their Step-mothers downfall, she hated how much this reminded her of working for the jackass only this time there was no collar tightening around her neck ensuring false loyalty.

Taking Sirius from one of the maids, Koumei walked through the halls of Kouen's palace towards his elder brother's study and gently knocked on the door for a moment. He walked inside and found Kouen in the middle of a large stack of paperwork looking mildly annoyed. Letting the cub down, he walked over to Kouen's desk as Sirius darted for Kouen with a soft bark making his older brother jump in surprise. Dropping the scroll he'd been looking over, Kouen bent down to pick up Sirius with a curious look on his face, "Where on earth did you come from?"

"One of the maids barely managed to keep him from toppling a bookcase when I was coming inside," Koumei set down the small set of scrolls he'd been carrying, "I assume Iris is resting again today?"

Face becoming pinched, Kouen nodded as he shifted to sit back with Sirius in his lap, "She is. Apparently, the entire reason she's been so tired as of late is due to nightmares."

Eyebrows furrowing as he slowly sat down across from Kouen, Koumei muttered, "Nightmares? I don't think a few would cause her to become so tired, but..." He had faint memories of when Hakuryuu used to suffer from nightmares before Gyokuen's priests had done something to the boy, "I suppose it could be a possibility, but it seems odd that she'd be suffering from nightmares now...unless her friends leaving had a larger impact on her than we first realized."

Which was a troubling thought to consider, Iris had been through quite a lot while they were separated as they'd come to learn in recent days. On top of what they had known, someone had tried to kill Iris while she was still in her coma and it was only her friend's timely arrival that saved her life. Given everything they'd learned so far, Koumei wouldn't be surprised if something deeper going on that Iris was reluctant to show. As much as he hated to admit it, she was still slow to let them see just how deeply certain things affected her.

Nodding his head as he gently scratched behind Sirius's ears, Kouen muttered softly, "This is going to be a mess," Sirius let out a soft bark and nosed into Kouen's chest with a gentle wag of his tail, "I understand she wants to deal with it on her own, but it's clear that she's struggling. We can't ignore it."

Gaze shifting towards Sirius as the cub tried to lighten the tense move by nibbling at the ends of Kouen's hair much to his amusement, Koumei spoke softly, "Perhaps during dinner or even after, we can try offering her some help. Not push as that will likely make her withdraw further," It was damning to admit that Iris would withdraw into herself even around them, "Perhaps we can see if she'll be willing to tell us what's bothering her. Even if she doesn't, she'll know we're willing to listen."

Frown firm on his face, Kouen nodded, "While I would rather she just come out with it, we don't have any other choice."

And that was just more proof of how deeply Iris had become intertwined with them, Kouen would never wait for anyone else to be ready before forcing information from them. But with Iris? He was willing to be patient and wait even if it caused him major irritation. His lips pulled into a small frown as he thought of Iris, she cared for them both deeply. It had been evident in both her words and every action she'd taken. But it seemed they were still building a bond of trust, it was somewhat frustrating though he admitted that such bonds took time to form. Especially when someone like Iris came along, she had been through a rough life even before coming to this world, and outside of the friends she came here with, the bonds she carried were few.

His lips twitched slightly at the knowledge that even with this, they were steadily becoming a part of those bonds. He reached out to pick up his papers once more as Kouen released Sirius onto the floor again, he spoke softly, "Patience is key with Iris...as it's always been," A low sound left Kouen and he chuckled softly, "On another note, I spoke with my informants. Unless you want to wait for Iris-"

"I told her that we wouldn't be working on business tonight," Kouen shook his head as Sirius walked over to settle by Koumei's feet, "Let's discuss it now and use tonight with Iris to simply be within one another's presence,"

Lips quirking in surprise, Koumei hadn't expected such a move from Kouen though it wasn't something he minded. It had been far too long since they'd had a simple evening where they could relax with one another. Nodding to Kouen, he settled back against his chair, "Alright. My informants found..."

Speaking of what his informants had found that was good enough to bring to Kouen's attention, Koumei reached down to scratch behind Sirius's ears as the cub yawned and settled in for a nap. While they would eventually let Iris in on the information that had been gathered, he was fine with waiting a few days. After all, she was likely stressing herself out over Gyokuen's threats alongside whatever emotions had popped up with her friends' departure.

There were candles spread about the small dining room as Iris stepped inside of it, she quickly bent down to catch Sirius as he bound over to her with a pleased bark. Rubbing between his ears as she noted the lack of mud coating him, she murmured in amusement, "Didn't dig in the garden today?"

"He spent the day with me after Koumei rescued a maid from him," Kouen answered earning a glance from her, "Apparently he almost toppled a bookshelf,"

Clicking her tongue, Iris shook her head, "I'd scold him, but it'll do little good now as it's been hours since then," She picked Sirius up and pressed a kiss to his forehead, "You are a naughty little brat, aren't you?"

Barking at her, Sirius just wagged his tail and tried to nuzzle into her. Iris realized with some amusement that she wouldn't be able to pick him up for much longer as was already becoming a bit heavier than some of the ingots she tended to work with. There was a mournful feeling in her chest that the knowledge she was missing out on his growth by sleeping so much during the day, she buried the guilt as Kouen walked over. Giving her a once over, he smiled slightly, "Feeling better?"

"I'm still a bit tired, but resting did help," Iris set down Sirius and reached out to touch his cheek, "No nightmares though I think that was you visiting me before I went back to sleep,"

Snorting softly as he turned his head to press a kiss to her palm, Kouen's gaze was soft, "Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. Do you still want to sleep with me tonight?"

"Mhmm," Irius hummed softly as she let her fingers run along Kouen's jaw, "Not just because it might mean I won't have any nightmares either, I've missed sleeping with you,"

Grasping her hand in his with a low chuckle, Kouen tugged her in for a gentle kiss, "You aren't the only one."

Humming softly as guilt ate at her, Iris was relieved when Koumei strode through the doors. Eyeing them with a slight smile, he raised an eyebrow while bending down to pat Sirius on the head, "Am I interrupting something?"

"I was just informing Iris about what Sirius was up to today before you rescued that maid from him," Kouen wrapped an arm around Iris's waist and set his head on her shoulder, "Ready to eat?"

"I am starving," Koumei chuckled as he stood and walked towards them with a light smile, "Iris," He reached out to cup her cheek and she leaned into the touch, "Feeling better? According to En, you slept the day away,"

Cheeks flushing as she stubbornly shoved back the guilt that threatened to surface at his words, Iris let out a soft laugh, "I'm fine now, Mei. Nightmares suck ass though and I don't recommend them."

Thumb running across one of her markings, Koumei's eyes were aglow with concern as he sighed, "Nightmares are indeed troublesome things, I hate that they seem so keen on bothering you," He pressed a fleeting kiss to her cheek, "If there's anything we can do to help, don't hesitate to let us know."

Despite it being a lie that had led to it, Iris still felt warm at hearing those words, and part of her yearned to just spill the secrets currently burning within her. Instead, she reached up to touch his hand, "Thanks, Mei. Having both of you around definitely helps more than you realize."

With a gentle tug, Kouen turned them both towards the table, "Let's eat, I know for a fact Iris hasn't eaten much at all today."

Settling down at the table as Kouen pressed a kiss to her cheek, Iris felt the heaviness in her chest ease at the warm atmosphere that seemed to flood the room. Taking a seat on either side of her with Sirius settling down with a bowl of food not far away, Kouen and Koumei smiled as they waved for the servants to serve them. Much as Kouen had promised her during the early hours of the morning, the dinner held no sign of business talk, the two beside her seemed content to simply share stories about what their siblings and Judar had gotten up to as of late. Throughout it though, she could feel their gazes filled with concern flitter towards her.

Even if they were attempting to be subtle, Iris could see each shared gaze they held and wondered what was going through their minds. Much like them though, she had decided that tonight was meant for simply enjoying being with them. Part of her appreciated it, she could let herself focus on something other than Gyokuen and the prophecy that seemed to haunt her every step. Laughter slowly came easier as she allowed those thoughts to drift towards the back of her mind, she began to truly relax as the meal passed by. As the last plate was cleared away and they began standing, Koumei suggested that they take a walk through the gardens together before retreating into the upper sitting room.

Despite part of her not wishing to go outside into the cold, Iris agreed alongside Kouen and they headed out into the frost-coated gardens. Fingers threaded together with Kouen and Koumei's, she walked alongside them as Sirius raced ahead of them. The air was crisp with clouds gathering by the moon overhead. Head tilting back as they walked along the nearly empty garden beds, she murmured, "It's going to snow tonight."

"Snow?" Koumei followed her gaze, "Are you sure?"

"There a certain scent in the air that always comes before it," Iris raised their joined hands and pointed out the clouds right by the moon, "There's a slight pattern in those clouds, they're heavy and growing darker by the moment as more join them. I can't be certain how long until it snows, but it's going to snow tonight,"

This meant her plan of not going out to continue gathering information was a good one, Iris could contend with snow but preferred not to deal with the freshly fallen stuff. Pushing that thought from her mind as Kouen hummed under his breath, she glanced at him, "That means no sparring tomorrow even if you feel up to it."

Giving him a mock pout, Iris pulled her hand free of Kouen's to tap his cheek, "You're just afraid I'll finally kick your ass when it's so cold."

Rolling his eyes as he grabbed her hand once more, Kouen pressed a kiss to her cheek, "While I've no doubt we will continue to spar to a draw," She snorted out a small puff of steam, "I'd much rather we don't risk the possibility of a cold."

"Spoilsport," Iris huffed at him, "Though," She released a soft sigh, "I'll admit the idea of fighting in the snow doesn't really appeal to me," She gave him a sly smile, "We might just have to find something else to do instead,"

Chuckling softly as his eyes gained a slight heat to them, Kouen kissed her cheek as Koumei chuckled, "How about we head inside? As amusing as this is, I'm starting to feel the cold."

After calling Sirius back to them, they retreated into Kouen's palace as frost crunched beneath their boots. Warm tea and hot chocolate were served as they retreated into the upper sitting room, Sirius dove to lay before the fireplace as Kouen, Koumei, and Iris settled on the couch. With an arm wrapping around her shoulders and one curling around her waist, she released a soft sigh and laid her head on Kouen's shoulder. Sipping on her hot chocolate and cuddling between the two as they once more settled into the relaxed atmosphere, she felt a pang of guilt curl through her heart. Part of her just wanted to scream about what she'd been doing, she couldn't though as there was far too much that needed to be done to keep Luna's prophecy from coming to fruition.

By the above, Iris wished that Luna had just stayed silent. She took a long drink from her hot chocolate in an attempt to keep from scowling. If the blonde had, she could have just gone about her days and likely dealt with Gyokuen without this sense of urgency. But even with the anger she currently felt, she knew that Luna had spoken out of worry likely knowing that she'd be able to do something against the prophecy. After all, she hadn't done as Dumbledore or Voldemort believed she would with their prophecy. Taking a calming breath, she let a smile curl across her lips and forced herself to relax.

As he slowly woke, Kouen found a smile curling across his lips as he felt Iris against his side. Back pressed against his chest, she'd tangled their legs together at some point during the night. Despite the mountain of pillows she could choose from, Iris had claimed one of his arms as her pillow as she twined their fingers together. His other arm was laid across her waist, he nosed into her hair and felt the tense knot in his chest loosen. His fingers tightened around hers, he knew that despite how much he'd like to stay wrapped up in this embrace with her there were duties to be done especially at the Main Palace.

After pressing a kiss to the top of her head, Kouen began carefully extracting himself from her though he found himself pausing after the soft skin of her neck reached his eyes. Lips pulling into a sly smile, he leaned down and began pressing soft kisses along the curve of her neck. Each was light and teasing, the barest brush of his lips after the first. There was a low sound as Iris shifted, she let out a low hum as her fingers flexed. Voice laced with sleeping, she mumbled, "What are you up to?"

Pressing each kiss just a bit harder against her neck, Kouen let his teeth press against the sensitive skin earning a low sound from her. Fingers stroking along her hip, he brought his mouth up to her ear as he murmured, "Ensuring you didn't wake up alone."

Sleepy hum leaving her, Iris shifted to peer at him with a drowsy smile curling at her lips, "Mhmm...seems you succeeded in that."

Lips finding the sensitive spot beneath Iris's ear that always got a reaction out of her even when she was trying to be quiet, Kouen couldn't stop himself from pressing a lingering kiss to it. As the soft sound left her, he murmured in her ear, "Good morning."

"Morning," Iris sighed as he finally pressed a kiss to her lips.

His fingers dragged down between her thighs as he tasted her for the first time that day, Kouen groaned as she filled his senses, and not for the first time since meeting her did he wish that there were no duties to attend to. Her lips parted as a sharp sound left her, the feeling of her body responding to his touch so quickly made it difficult to even think about pulling away. Her thighs locked around his hands as wetness started to gather along his fingers, he broke the kiss and shifted to add to the already fading marks that littered her neck from last night. Part of him was amused and pissed off by the fact any marks they left on her would fade within a day, it meant he could be as rough with his marks as she allowed him even if Koumei always gave him looks of disappointment after seeing said marks.

His thumb pressed against her clit as he pressed two fingers inside of her, Kouen sucked a heavy mark into the base of her throat as she bucked against his fingers. He pulled away from her throat as a whimper left Iris who told him she needed something more. Part of him wanted to make her beg for it, he didn't have time for it this morning even if the lack of ability to spar with Iris had given him a bit more time. Pulling his fingers free, he coaxed Iris to lie down and pulled her thighs apart. With heavy-lidded eyes, as she peered up at him, Iris's head dropped back against the pillows as he slowly sank his cock into her. Keeping one hand on her hip as she clamped her thighs around him again, he ran a hand up to her breasts as he finally hilted in her.

Pleasure washed through him as he felt her walls around his cock, Kouen started slowly at first before hastening his pace as Iris bucked into him. Her thighs tried to clamp down harder with each trust, he pressed fleeting kisses along her skin as she dug her nails into his shoulders and back. Catching her lips after a particularly harsh thrust, he adjusted one of her legs to rest along his hip and groaned at the feeling. Her walls were fluttering and clenching now, he could feel his end coming as heat raced down his spine. Fingers digging into her hip, he dragged the hand that had been fondling her breast down between them. Pressing and prodding, he felt her jerk as a half-cut-off moan slipped from her lips. Pleasure slid its claws down his spine as she cried out and clenched around him, the feeling drawing out his end as her walls attempted to milk him dry.

Panting as his head dropped to her shoulder, Kouen pressed a few lazy kisses to the sweat-coated skin before pulling away from her. Laying down against the pillows, he tugged Iris to lay against him earning a soft hum as she shifted to curl up with her head against his chest. Fingers stroking down her back, he murmured, "If memory serves me, you have meetings today?"

"Two nobles," Iris sighed softly and shifted to peer at him, "They want to discuss gift options. One for his wife and the other for a fiancee," She pressed a kiss to his chest, "You're at the main palace today?"

"Unfortunately," Kouen would rather not have the chance to deal with Gyokuen or his father's favored sycophants, "Otherwise, I know exactly what I'd be doing all day,"

Lips pulling into a mischievous smile, Iris tilted her head, "Oh? And what would that be?"

Tugging her up further, Kouen pressed a kiss to her lips, "Listening to all the ways you can say my name," Iris's cheeks flushed in that delicate way he adored, "Specifically the ways I can get it to happen when I'm between your legs."

"En!" Iris squeaked at him.

Pressing another kiss to her lips, Kouen rolled them over and contemplated whether he had enough time to give her a small taste of what would be in store for her one of the days he had free. Inwardly growling as a knock sounded at his bedroom door, he reluctantly pulled away from Iris after pressing another kiss to her lips. Getting out of bed and ensuring the draperies were covering any sign of Iris, he tugged on his robe and tugged open the door, "Yes."

"My lord," The head maid bowed lightly, "Prince Kouha has decided to visit you and is waiting downstairs in the dining room. Lord Judar is with him, Sir,"

Eyebrow twitching at the news, Kouen grunted as he told her, "Inform them that Iris and I will be down soon enough."

"Yes, sir," The head maid bowed again though didn't leave.

"And remind them that I do not appreciate early morning visits," Kouen scowled as he nodded to the woman.

"Of course, sir. Prince Kouha also wishes to know if Lady Iris can go out today," The head maid eyed him, "He is...' annoyed' that she hasn't been feeling well as of late,"

Rolling his eyes, Kouen turned his head as he felt Iris's warmth against his back. Dressed in the thin robe she'd started leaving in his room as of late, she leaned against him, "I can't give him my answer right now until we actually talk. I have to meet with two nobles about their paintings today."

"Of course, my lady," The maid's lips twitched slightly, "I'll inform Prince Kouha. If there is nothing either of you need, I shall be heading back downstairs though baths have been drawn if you need them,"

"Thank you," Iris squeaked as Kouen inwardly chuckled.

With another gentle nod, the maid left them and he closed the door. Iris pressed her face into his side and shifted to hug her. Coaxing her to look at him, he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, "Why are you so flustered?"

"I-it's embarrassing how they know we had-" Iris's cheeks burned a deeper red and she flung her hand towards the bed making him chuckle, "It's not funny, En!"

"I'm not laughing at you, Iris," Kouen kissed her again, "I just think you're adorable," She gifted him with a look of disbelief, "My staff is trained to adapt to the habits of myself and any guests that come into these halls. And us having sex in the morning is becoming a habit even if we don't always indulge,"

Seeing her cheeks darken further as she struggled to say something, Kouen wished there was a way to save this moment in time. Kissing Iris to save her from having to attempt to say anything, he began moving them back towards the bed. His hands pushed past the silk covering her and began running along her skin, he broke the kiss as they reached the bed, and his hips pressed against hers. Back arching as his hardening cock pressed against her, she murmured, "W-we-Kouha and Judar-"

Nipping at her bottom lip, Kouen smirked at the hazy look that was slowly filling those beautiful emerald-green eyes of hers, "Do you really want to deal with Kouha and Judar this early in the morning? Especially when I can show you what I meant earlier about being between your legs?"

His smirk grew as a contemplative look entered her eyes, the hazy war being waged made him confident that Iris would agree with him. He felt a bolt of irritation when she shook her head and placed a hand on his chest, "I-we both have things to do today," She offered him a small teasing smile, "Kouha would probably come charging in here if we don't go downstairs soon enough and you know it."

Rolling his eyes despite knowing she was right, Kouen pressed a kiss to her lips, "Be that as it may, I would rather be between your legs than deal with whatever chaos he wishes to indulge in."

"Unfortunately for you, I don't want to deal with Kouha possibly rushing in on us," Iris shook her head and kissed him before putting pressure behind her hand, "It's not like we can't indulge tonight though..."

Letting out a small chuckle, Kouen finally released his grip on her, "Alright though if memory serves, you're staying with Koumei tonight."

"Am I?" Iris's lips pulled into a teasing smile as she moved towards the door, "Guess we'll have to take a rain check on you showing me those things unless...you want to try badgering Koumei into letting you join in,"

Snorting softly as he knew Koumei was fiercely defensive of the nights he got to spend alone with Iris, Kouen knew that would be a losing battle, "I'll just have to wait."

"Pity," Iris sent him a light smile that told him she was enjoying the test on his patience.

Shaking his head as she left his room, Kouen began heading towards the door as well as he needed a bath.

Sitting in his study, Koumei's eyes were locked on the newest set of messages that had been brought to him by the messenger used by his informants. There was a chill going down his spine that had nothing to do with the snow falling outside, he had known that Gyokuen would be on the move after they had disrupted her old plans, but not like this. His mouth twisted into a scowl as he rapidly decoded the message laid before him, the ink-lined scrolls seemed far heavier than before with each new word. There was a bitter taste in his mouth at the realization that Gyokuen had once more stepped ahead of them in the game, the twisted spider's web was once more tightening around them like a noose.

Within the darkened shadows of the empire, Gyokuen had been gathering allies with seemingly little care about where they'd come from. Alliances were formed in shadowy corners with many who would see the Empire in ruins, the vast network that was slowly being unveiled right before Koumei's eyes made his stomach sink. Even with his informants scattered as they were, they'd barely managed to catch onto those deals being made. His fingers clenched around the edge of the desk, the knowledge that Gyokuen would dare make such alliances told him the depths of just how little she truly cared about the empire.

Everything they'd worked for would go up in flames if something wasn't done about this, the fact they'd have to proceed carefully lest sending those who Gyokuen had gathered together scattering made Koumei inwardly seethe. He loathed to admit just how skillfully the bitch had managed to evade his informants and even fooled them into thinking she'd never do anything like this. But the evidence was there, he grimaced darkly as he let the scroll fall to his desk with a heavy thump. His mind began to whirl as he began to craft a plan to deal with this, he leaned back in his seat.

Whether he wished to admit it or not, Gyokuen had once more changed the chess board that was Kou and things would likely get very bloody even if they managed to circumvent whatever she was planning. There was a smugness within him at that thought, he always managed to circumvent her plans no matter what stage he discovered them. Letting his fingers drum against the ornate wood desk he sat at, he let his mind calculate each risk that would need to be taken and just how they needed to deal with each 'ally' Gyokuen had found. Confrontation would not work, they would have to be sneaky and play dirty.

Sighing as his mind conjured up an image of Iris, Koumei knew that they needed to give her some space away from these things, but she truly was the best option to deal with this. With Iris's experience and abilities, they could take care of Gyokuen's allies far more quickly. Kouen would likely protest though he knew he'd be able to bring his brother about. But for the moment, he'd wait on trying to include Iris in this. If they were careful enough, she wouldn't need to be bothered by this.